Former Auburn standout Philip Lutzenkirchen, a member of the Tigers’ 2010 national championship team and one of the SEC’s tight ends during his tenure, died early Sunday morning in an automobile accident near LaGrange, Georgia.

According to a story in the Ledger-Enquirer, the accident happened just after 3 a.m. when the vehicle Lutzenkirchen was traveling in overturned after the driver missed a stop sign at an intersection. Lutzenkirchen was killed at the scene according to Master Trooper B.N. Talley of the Georgia State Patrol. The driver, 22-year-old former UGA baseball player Joseph Ian Davis, also died in the crash after being partially ejected. Two other passengers Elizabeth Ann Seton Craig of Eatonton, Georgia, and 20-year-old Christian Tanner Case of Dadeville, Alabama, were both taken to West Georgia Health Systems in LaGrange for treatment. Craig was ejected, but Case was restrained and has been released from care.

Lutzenkirchen was 23.

A key cog during Auburn’s title run and a sure-handed red zone target during his career, Lutzenkirchen caught 59 passes for 628 yards and a school-record 14 touchdowns in four seasons before signing a free agent contract with the St. Louis Rams in 2012.

Since May 1, Lutzenkirchen has worked as a volunteer prep football coach at St. James in Montgomery, Alabama.

“I’m deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Philip Lutzenkirchen,” said Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn in a statement. “He was a great young man who touched the lives of everyone he knew in a positive way. On the field, Philip was a great player and competitor, but more importantly, he was a great teammate and friend off the field. My thoughts and prayers are with Philip’s parents, Mike and Mary, and all of his family and friends who are grieving his passing.

“This is a sad day for the entire Auburn family. I find peace knowing that even though Philip was taken from us too soon, that he lived his life to the fullest, leaving a lifetime of great memories for his family and friends to cherish forever.”